Kelly is a fantastic nature journaler, garden guide, and workshop leader. She lives, eats, breathes and sleeps nature and art. It's a huge part of who she is in the world and I love that her art and her life fit so beautifully together.

So when she said YES to joining us for this year long adventure, I was thrilled because she brings a passion for nature that I've not seen before. She reminds me to get out of the office/house/studio and go commune and appreciate nature. I'm grateful to have her in my ear reminding me to spend time outside -- it really does change your perspective.

TODAY'S CHALLENGE -- from Kelly Johnson

​Go outside and sit in nature for about 5 minutes. During this time, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Once you settle in to the space, spend about 5 breaths focused on the senses of hearing, smell, touch and skin, and sight (do this one last because you'll open your eyes for this one.)

While focusing on a sense, observe what you are feeling, smelling, hearing, and seeing around you. Notice and feelings or memories that come to mind as you open up your senses to the natural world.

Once you have connected and tuned into each of your senses, talk a slow walk around the space. Collect 3 items that seem to speak to you. If you are in a park or garden that doesn't allow collecting, you can snap a picture.

Back in your studio, or out in the field, use these 3 items as textural, form, or color inspiration to create a journal page that expresses the feelings or memories that you had while opening and connecting your senses to nature in that space. What you create could be representational, abstract, or a little of both!

Here's my interpretation of this challenge. I made a little photo tutorial for you as I was doing each step. Click the first image in the gallery and walk through my process step-by-step.

The page turned out so much better than I thought it would. I loved printing with the leaf using the Distress Ink Pad. The stick didn't do what I thought it was going to do, but I ended up liking the result in the end. That's what I love about art journaling, it's a place to play and explore and try new things.